Download Chickenpox (Varicella) Fact Sheet

CHICKENPOX (VARICELLA) FACT SHEET
What is Chickenpox?
Chickenpox disease (varicella) is an acute,
highly contagious, generalized viral disease. It
is common in childhood but can also cause
illness in adolescents and adults.
If you have already had chickenpox, you are
probably immune. This means that your body
can fight off the infection and you will likely not
get chickenpox.
After infection, the virus stays in your body for
life. The virus can later cause shingles, which
causes a painful, blistering rash on one part of
the body.
What are the signs and symptoms of
Chickenpox?
Chickenpox is an illness that usually begins
with a slight fever, fatigue, headache, and/or
runny nose. This is followed in a day or two by
a red, spotty rash that becomes small, itchy,
fluid-filled blisters. Eventually the blisters dry
up and crust over.
occur 10-21 days after contact with an infected
person.
Chickenpox may cause stillbirths or birth
defects if a woman contracts the disease
during the first two trimesters of pregnancy. It
can spread to the baby during childbirth.
How do I know if I have Chickenpox?
Your doctor will review your signs and
symptoms and examine you. They also test by
taking a sample of the fluid of a blister. If you
are pregnant and think you have been exposed
to chickenpox, you may have a blood test to
determine whether or not you are immune.
Adolescents and adults are more likely to have
complications from chickenpox than children.
People who are immunocompromised are
especially at risk for complications. Possible
complications are pneumonia, and
inflammation of the kidneys, heart or joints.
The nervous system may be affected causing
inflammation of the brain.
What can you do if you or your child has
Chickenpox?
• Use calamine lotion to help relieve itching.
• Put an ice pack or cool moist washcloth on
itchy areas for 20 to 30 minutes.
• If the itching is severe or making it difficult
to sleep, take a non-prescription
antihistamine such as BenadrylTM.
• Wash your hands often to prevent infection.
• Take a non-prescription pain reliever such
as acetaminophen to relieve a headache,
fever or general aches and pains. Do not
give AspirinTM or any products that
contain acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) to a
child under the age of 18.
• Stay at home if you have a fever.
How is Chickenpox spread?
Chickenpox is spread from person-to-person
by respiratory droplets in the air or direct
contact with the blister fluid. The disease is
most contagious 1-2 days before the rash
appears. Chickenpox is infectious until the last
blister has crusted (usually about five days
after the rash first appears). Symptoms usually
When can my child go back to school?
It is recommended that a child with mild
chickenpox does not need to stay home from
school or daycare if he/she is feeling well
enough to participate normally. Since
chickenpox is most contagious 1-2 days before
the rash appears, isolation after a rash appears
is not effective for preventing transmission.
For further information, talk to your health care professional or call Peel Public Health at 905-7997700.
Last Revised: May 2016
CHICKENPOX (VARICELLA) FACT SHEET
Can Chickenpox be prevented?
Immunization provides the best protection
against chickenpox. The vaccine is
recommended for healthy individuals who have
not yet had the disease.
Two doses of the vaccine are recommended
for children in Ontario and people who have
not had chickenpox. The first dose is given at
15 months of age. The second dose is given
either as varicella alone or a combined MMR-V
(measles, mumps, rubella and varicella or
chickenpox) vaccine at 4-6 years of age;
before starting school. Children who are born
on or after January 1, 2000 are eligible to
receive two doses of varicella vaccine for free.
If you are exposed to chickenpox and you are
pregnant and have not had chickenpox or the
chickenpox vaccine, your doctor may give you
an injection of Varicella-Zoster immune
globulin to help prevent the disease.
For further information, talk to your health care professional or call Peel Public Health at 905-7997700.
Last Revised: May 2016